title: Safety and predictability of conscious sedation in dentistry -- a multi-centre regional audit: South and West Wales experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are no previously published reports of audits in conscious sedation from a group comprising the general dental services (GDS), community dental services (CDS) and hospital dental services (HDS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this audit was to assess current practice within the group in relation to the safety and predictability of dental treatment undertaken with the aid of conscious sedation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of nine centres collected data prospectively on 1,037 sedation episodes over the course of one year. Audit standards were locally agreed based on current evidence and local experience. They were set at a completion rate of 90% and an adverse incident rate of 2% or less.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on the data collected, a completion rate of 92% and a minor adverse incident rate of 2.6% were recorded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The participating centres met the standards set locally for this audit. Current practice in the participating centres was found to be safe and predictable. The audit tool is being refined to improve the quality of data collection. Further research and service evaluation is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Associate Specialist, Dept of Restorative Dentistry, Morriston Hospital, Swansea, SA6 6NL.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muthukrishnan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult